Taylor Glover’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning propelled Cal State Northridge to a 4-1 win over the University of Hawaii softball team in the first game of today’s Big West doubleheader at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

UH pitcher Brittany Hitchcock then turned her third shutout of the season in the finale and the Rainbow Wahine (18-21, 2-4 Big West) earned a split with a 6-0 win, ending a four-game skid.

In the first game, CSUN’s Daphne Pofek and UH right-hander Kanani Aina Cabrales both took shutouts into the fifth inning and the ’Bows broke through after Rachael Turner led off the bottom of the inning with an opposite-field double to left field. Pinch-runner Dori Ann Sugai advanced to third when Aina Cabrales reached on an error. Ulu Matagiese then lifted a flyball to center field and the throw to the plate was dropped as Sugai slid under the tag.

CSUN’s Savannah Horvath chopped a single into left field to lead off the top of the sixth and Glover lined her third home run of the season over the center-field fence to give the Matadors the lead.

CSUN (23-17, 3-3) added to the lead in the seventh with considerable help from the UH defense. Mackenzie Babbitt reached on a two-base throwing error and scored on Maylynn Mitchell’s two-out double. Horvath’s pop up just over the infield fell in safely and Mitchell came around to score.

UH jumped ahead in the series finale on Jennifer Iseri’s RBI double in the bottom of the third. Iseri later scored on Carlos’ infield single. With UH up 4-0 in the sixth, Carlos extended the lead with a two-run double to left field.

Hitchcock held CSUN to six hits, struck out three and walked none to improve to 8-10. UH third baseman Nicole Lopez punctuated the shutout with a diving stop on Horvath’s sharp grounder.

UH travels to UC Riverside next week for a three-game series starting April 15.